close-up-of -car-on-hydraulic-lift-in-professional-auto-repair-shop

Jonathan Westwood

Chief Compliance Officer

Jonathan Westwood | Author

Annabelle Clarke

PR Manager

Annabelle Clarke | Author

Eduardo Rodrigues

Content Writer

Eduardo Rodrigues | Author

Claudia Tuñón

Claudia Tuñón | Author

Isobel Coughlan

Isobel Coughlan | Author

Joseph Law

Bumper Content Writer

Joseph Law | Author

Alastair Shephard

Alastair Shephard | Author

You don't know what you've got 'til it's gone, and that's definitely the case when your car is out for repairs. 

Being suddenly car-less can upend your life completely. How do I get to work? How will I get the kids to school? 

Where will I find the money to pay for servicing and parts? As with most major purchases, there are options for financing, from simply putting it on your credit card to getting a loan from a lender. But your credit card limit might not be enough, and even if it is, today's card interest rates can be punishing. 

A car repairs loan might be more attractive, but it can be time-consuming and complex to obtain, with applications, 

, and long waits. Meanwhile, you're still stuck without a car. 

Most of us return our cars to the dealer when something goes wrong. But will a car dealer let you finance an unexpected repair job? Keep reading to get the full answer. 

While many manufacturers have established repair financing programmes for new car owners, not every dealer in their networks participates. When they do, you may have to visit the dealership to complete an application in person. 

After that, the number of payments you can spread the cost over is often restricted to two or three. For repair jobs above £2,000, the 

And what do you do if you own a used car or one no longer covered by the manufacturer's warranty? 

Luckily, new finance options are available to help get you back in the driver's seat with minimum fuss and without gouging you with extra fees or high interest.

Can I pay for car repairs in instalments?

Yes! There are plenty of finance options to help you pay off your car repairs in small instalments. However, make sure you’re selecting a service without high fees or big interest payments (like 

New digital platforms are changing how we select and pay for products and services. Services like Klarna, for example, let you pay 'buy now and pay later' (BNPL) for things flexibly. 

You can make a purchase and try it out in real life before paying or spread the cost of a larger purchase out into manageable instalments. If you commit to a fixed schedule of payments at a fixed amount, the additional cost is often zero. 

 comes in. We're addressing the evolving ways customers want to pay for goods and services by bringing easy 'pay later' options to the automotive sphere. 

 lets you split a hefty repair bill into smaller, easy-to-manage, 

Not sure whether car finance is right for you? There are a few alternative options to help you pay off repairs without putting stress on your finances. 

One popular way is to borrow money from family and friends. Of course, this isn’t an option for everyone and depends on the financial situation of your loved ones. But it’s a great option if available. 

If you have an emergency fund set aside, you can use it to cover car repairs. An emergency fund is a separate bank of savings that’s only for emergencies. Many consider big car payments an unexpected expense, so if you can, now is a great time to dip into the emergency savings. 

You can also make quick cash via odd jobs or selling unwanted items. However, this might not work well if facing a significant cost. 

Finally, if the repairs are minor, you can fix them yourself. This is only a good idea if you have previous mechanic experience and the repairs have DIY fixes. If not, it’s always best to contact a professional. 

 offers car owners a simple four-step process for using its BNPL service. Here’s everything you need to know before using Bumper car repair finance: 

 ensures you never pay more for servicing or repairs when spreading the cost. And the maximum amount you've been approved for is never shared with the garage.

 James Jackson and Jack Allman. A few years back, they saw a market opportunity to bring a BNPL service to the car repairs and aftersales market. The platform they’ve created provides car owners with a simple, interest-free way to access flexible payments that are both mobile and fully automated. 

Car owners love Bumper, and so do garages. Our unique AI-driven automotive scorecard helps avoid loan defaults. Over 60 percent of Britain’s 

 already use us, including Ford, Volkswagen, Nissan, Jaguar Land Rover, and Nissan. 

Stop worrying about unexpected car dealership repairs - The takeaway

, we’re committed to giving car owners more financial flexibility by taking the worry out of unexpected car repair costs. 

The automotive sector can be a bit old school when it comes to technology, but offering a BNPL option can help move it more in sync with consumer buying habits. 

In the post-COVID era, people have massively pivoted towards digital payment methods. 

 is helping bring the automotive aftermarket into the digital age. 

 has been writing about cars for over seven years and writing for Bumper for over two, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his five cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.

Will a car dealer let me finance car repairs?

We’ve all been there. It’s morning, and you go to 

, but it just won’t start. Cue a few strong words. 

 can happen for a number of reasons. Whether it’s for maintenance, because you’ve left your lights on overnight and drained the battery, or the battery has degraded over time, there are plenty of reasons your battery has died. 

Keep reading to learn how to use a car battery charger to bring your vehicle back to life. 

Depending on the type of vehicle you have and what you’re using it for, you may need to use a variety of chargers. To break it down simply, there are two types of car battery chargers: 

A traditional car battery charger, or linear charger, can be used on most cars and has limited features. 

Standard chargers charge your vehicle by continuously delivering electricity to your battery. Over time, this may damage your battery health. Please note that these chargers are generally not suitable for vehicles with start-stop technology. 

Intelligent (or smart chargers) are more modern and have various settings and features that can help to maintain battery health. 

For example, trickle charging can feed charge into your battery very slowly when a vehicle is out of action for a while, or multi-stage charging can help maintain battery health. 

How you charge a car battery will vary depending on whether you want to get a flat battery started, charge a waning battery, or maintain health during storage. If unsure, contact a professional mechanic before you tinker under the bonnet! 

Be prepared for the job! Here’s what you need to charge your battery. 

Want to breathe new life into your car? Here’s a quick overview of how to use a car battery charger at home: 

How to use a battery charger while driving

Alongside charging your car when it’s stationary, you can charge your battery by driving. Of course, this won’t work if your battery is completely dead. But if your car is idle for long periods, you can drive it to keep the battery topped up. 

Most cars require around 30 minutes of motorway driving to recharge fully. If your vehicle hasn’t been driven for a long time, it might take more than 30 minutes. So, make more than a quick trip to the shops to keep your battery healthy. 

Can I charge a car battery without a charger?

Technically, your car is supposed to charge itself with a part called an alternator. The alternator is a magnetic coil that’s powered by the engine. It generates current that goes back into the battery and charges as you drive. Faulty 

 are the most common cause of a dead battery. 

How to use car battery charger - Extra tips to know

Take a note of these extra tips before making that all-important car battery charger connection. 

If you want to avoid any battery scares, you can help maintain a healthy battery by: 

Get rid of any dirt or grime before it has a chance to get into your battery cells and cause damage. 

If you have a vehicle that is rarely used or has a long layoff, make sure you regularly charge the battery to avoid it becoming depleted and damaged. 

Over-charging can cause damage to your battery. To avoid this, make sure you charge at a low level and unplug your charger when it’s done. 

Generally, car batteries can perform at a good level for 4 years, so you should replace yours at that frequency. 

Final thoughts on how to use a car battery charger

A flat battery is nothing short of annoying. But luckily, this is an easy fix! Hopefully, this blog has helped you recharge your car battery without muss or fuss. Bookmark the page so you can return when it’s time to boost your battery. 

Do you need a service to check on battery health, or do you need a full replacement? Use our 

 feature and pay for your repairs or parts in easy-to-manage monthly car repairs. 

How to use a Car Battery Charger

Not only is an MOT a legal obligation, but it is also an important way of ensuring your vehicle is safe for you and for other road users. We look at MOT tests and break down the common deadlines and jargon, so you’ll never miss yours. 

An MOT test is a legally required vehicle test mandated by the Ministry of Transport. It includes a range of safety and environmental tests on your vehicle, to ensure it is legally safe to drive on roads in the UK. Elements such as the steering,

, seatbelts, tires and lights are checked. The engine, clutch and gearbox are not checked as part of an MOT. 

If you pass these tests, you are given an MOT certificate, one of the legally required documents you’ll need to drive or park your vehicle on public roads. 

An MOT certificate is a legally required document so driving without one is breaking the law. Driving without a valid MOT could mean you’re hit with a fine of up to £1,000 and your insurance could be invalidated. 

If you're worried about failing your MOT, you'll want to read our guide to 

When you need an MOT depends on your vehicle. You must get an MOT: 

Within three years of registering a new vehicle 

By the anniversary of your vehicle’s last MOT if it is more than 3 years old. 

Please note: Some vehicles, like taxis, will require an MOT test within a year of being registered, so please check the 

 to ensure your vehicle doesn’t miss out. 

An MOT test certificate lasts 12 months after your MOT test has passed. If you want to keep the same renewal date, you are only able to get a new MOT test up to a month (minus a day) before your old MOT test expires. If you want a new date, you can get it done earlier but your renewal date will change to a year (minus a day) after your new test was completed. 

If you can’t find your documents and need to check when your next MOT is due, you can find out easily based on your registration plate. Visit .gov’s 

If you're concerned about the costs associated with any repairs that might arise from your MOT, then Bumper is here to help. Split the costs of car repair loans into interest-free monthly payments. 

Yes, it's true! Speed cameras are now able to check a car's MOT status. Don't risk driving without a valid MOT to avoid fines!

This is a common myth in the UK, but your MOT cannot be overdue by even one day. You need to take it the garage before the MOT is due to avoid a fine and make sure your insurance is valid.

No, there is no grace period for an MOT. You need to take your car to a garage for its MOT before the due date to avoid any consequences. 

You must use a registered MOT centre to get your MOT test. Often, MOT centres may be in car garages where repairs required to pass your test can also take place. To tell if a garage is a registered MOT centre, look for the blue sign with three white triangles. 

The cost of an MOT costs will vary depending on the type of vehicle you own. However, the maximum cost for any vehicle in the UK is £124.50, which is for large passenger vehicles for over 16 passengers. The vast majority of standard cars and motorcycles, however, will cost a maximum of £54.85. 

If you’re worried about the cost of an MOT test or repairs that are needed in order for your vehicle to pass, BUMPER offer 

 so you can spread the costs of tests and repairs with no interest. 

When is my MOT due?

 has integrated its aftersales digital payment service with Keyloop, a provider of technology solutions to the automotive sector. 

Bumper’s platform operates across Keyloop’s Autoline and Drive 

dealer management systems (DMS), providing users with access to its digital Buy Now, Pay Later and PayNow aftersales services.

The move also sees Bumper joining Keyloop’s International Partner Programme, becoming the first business to offer digital aftersales payment services. 

Vertu Motors, one of the UK’s largest dealer groups, became the first franchised network to go live with Bumper on its Keyloop DMS. 

“Integrating with Keyloop is a major step for us as we increase our footfall across the UK,” 

said Jack Allman, Chief Commercial Officer and Co-Founder of Bumper. 

“The integration makes it even easier for dealers using Keyloop to offer aftersales customers more affordable, convenient and secure ways to pay their servicing, maintenance and repair bills,” 

Commenting on the partnership Jules Grinnell, Global Partner Director at Keyloop said: “We’re delighted to extend our relationship with Bumper through Keyloop’s Partner Programme. The integration between Keyloop and Bumper will allow service advisors to process 0% finance for customers in just a couple of clicks. 

“The solution will pass through any available necessary data and improve the quality and accuracy of the data processed by Bumper, meaning more work is approved in a quicker, more efficient manner.”

Recent months have seen Bumper, the eighth fastest growing company in the 2021 FT1000, also partner with Nissan, Ford, Volkswagen Group and Jaguar Land Rover as well as Arnold Clark and CitNOW. 

Bumper integrates with Keyloop DMS to offer digital aftersales payments to dealers across the UK

Leah has amassed considerable experience in managing staff growth at tech start-ups, most recently at Goodlord, the property lettings platform, and Eve Sleep, the online sleep brand.

Leah will manage the rapid employee growth Bumper is planning following its recent Series A funding round and its expansion into several key European markets, which will take the fintech’s headcount from 40 to over 100 within the next 12 months.

“This is an exciting time to be joining Bumper as the business accelerates its growth plans. My role will be to recruit the best possible team members to make this growth possible, while also helping shape the company’s evolving culture to ensure we have ways of working that will enable us to grow in the way we want to,” she said.

An immediate priority is the recruitment of tech staff to develop Bumper’s expanding platform as the UK-based business launches into new international markets.

“I enjoy working in the tech start-up world and look forward to helping Bumper achieve its growth plans by having the best possible staff in place over the coming months. We have an ambitious plan to virtually triple our headcount by the end of 2022 and that process is now underway,” she said.

Bumper has appointed Leah Ellis to the newly created position of Interim Chief People Officer 

The appointment reflects Bumper’s focus on evolving its platform, bringing further innovation to the automotive sector and delivering tech-led convenience to dealers and their customers.

Fran joins from Experian where she served as Domain Leader and Senior Product Manager. She was also formerly a Senior Product Manager at Lebara, where she was in charge of the business’ ecommerce platform and, prior to which she was Product Manager at Wonga where she co-led the rollout in Spain. 

Her career in product management began after graduating with an MBA from the London Business School in 2011.

Fran sits on Bumper’s six-strong executive team and is currently managing the international launch of the platform into continental Europe, starting with Germany, followed by Spain, the Netherlands, and Portugal.

She is also leading the development of a new white label customer app which will be offered by dealer groups to help improve aftersales retention. 

“I was attracted to Bumper because it’s a fintech with ambitious growth plans. The business is still relatively small, which makes it agile, but it has good funding which is allowing it to scale quickly,” she said.

“It was also an exciting opportunity to work with a tech leader and help further develop a platform which resonates with dealers and their customers. A major part of my job is listening to dealerships and understanding their requirements and working out how they can make better use of the Bumper platform, especially as we move into Europe where each market has different local nuances.”

Bumper has appointed Francisca Gutierrez Marticorena to the new position of Chief Product Officer

Bumper CPO Francisca Gutierrez has become the latest business leader to join the Automotive 30% Club. 

Gutierrez said gender balance is central to the expanding business’ accelerated recruitment drive as it scales up its digital aftersales payment platform in the UK and across Europe. 

The Automotive 30% Club is a voluntary group comprised of managing directors and CEOs founded to achieve a better gender balance across the automotive industry, with the aim of filling at least 30% of key leadership positions in its members’ organisations with women by 2030. 

Gutierrez said: “I’m really excited and honoured to be joining the Automotive 30% Club and look forward to working with the team and fellow members to actively promote gender balance by recruiting and retaining the best possible talent across the automotive sector. 

“As a fast-growing fintech business, Bumper is now hiring a lot of people at scale, which brings a number of challenges. Being a member of the Automotive 30% Club will help us build a framework and structure to ensure our hiring process is always as inclusive and diverse as possible. 

"This is not only a moral and ethical responsibility but also adds commercial value, as we believe a diverse management team makes better strategic decisions.” 

Julia Muir, the founder of the Automotive 30% Club, said: "It's great to welcome Francisca Gutierrez to the Automotive 30% Club. I'm very pleased that Francisca is putting a gender-balance and inclusion strategy at the centre of Bumper's growth plans and it is evident that she recognises the important role played by gender-balanced diverse teams in achieving business success. I shall look forward to bringing her into our network where we all share ideas and solutions to achieve diversity and inclusion goals" 

Bumper CPO Francisca Gutierrez becomes latest member to join Automotive 30% Club 

Well done to the team at Luton for an outstanding month using Bumper to help their customers. 

Since joining Bumper in July 2021 the team have introduced our PayLater product as key part of their aftersales process. The team use Bumper

’s integration with CitNOW to offer a fast, digital experience and give customers more control over their finances. 

 ‘Our customers really value the option to spread payments, any unplanned work is far easier to budget for, and the process couldn’t be easier. The system is by far the easiest we have used. Support is always available on the rare occurrence it’s needed. Just the right amount of contact from Alex inspires confidence in the team.’ Aftersales Manager, John Fincher Specialist Cars, 

Well done to Graham, Rebecca, Nikki, Tracy, Jodie, Robert, and the rest of the team! 

Bumper’s Dealership of the Month for December 2021 goes to Specialist Cars Luton 

Find all the latest industry news and handiest car repair and service tips on the Bumper Blog. Want to get the Bumper view on something? Let us know and we’ll drop a blog post on it as soon as we can.